Terrorism Studies Minor

Terrorism Studies Minor

Terrorism Studies

Minor

The Terrorism Studies minor is designed to provide cadets with the intellectual, conceptual, analytical, and theoretical tools to understand the nature, implications, root causes, and complex challenges posed by terrorism in the 21st century, and the multifaceted issues associated with counterterrorism policy.

Offered by the Department of Social Sciences in conjunction with the Combating Terrorism Center.

Have you ever wondered how terrorist groups operate, why they exist, or how nations fight back? The Terrorism Studies minor at the United States Military Academy at West Point helps you understand one of the most dangerous threats in today’s world - so you can be prepared to lead in the fight against it. You’ll be ready to lead teams, make smart decisions, and protect your country in high-risk environments.

What is Terrorism Studies?

The Terrorism Studies minor is an interdisciplinary program that gives cadets a focused understanding of terrorism, counterterrorism, and political violence - how these threats emerge, why they happen, and how military and civilian leaders respond to them. It combines political science, international affairs, law, ethics, psychology, and military strategy so cadets can learn how terrorist groups form, what motivates them, how they operate, and how the U.S. and other nations defend against these evolving threats.

This program leverages the robust expertise and experiences of the Counter Terrorism Center and the department’s permanent and rotating faculty members. The minor is based on two pillars: academic and professional development. These interrelated components are designed to offer cadets a world-class education in the different facets of terrorism and political violence and the ways governments respond to these challenges, while creating a community of young counterterrorism professionals in the process. 

Why Consider Terrorism Studies at USMA?

  • Understand One of Today’s Biggest Threats
    Cadets study the causes and consequences of terrorism and political violence, from global jihadist movements to domestic extremists.
  • Direct Relevance to Army Missions
    Cadets learn how the military, intelligence community, and law enforcement work together to detect, prevent, and respond to terrorist threats - knowledge that's useful in many Army roles.
  • Sharpen Critical Thinking
    This minor teaches cadets to analyze complex global problems, understand different ideologies, and think like an adversary - key for future leaders.
  • Prepare for High-Impact Roles
    The skills and knowledge that graduate gain apply directly to careers in Military Intelligence, Special Forces, Civil Affairs, Psychological Operations, and strategic planning.
  • Pair It with Many Majors
    This minor works well with International Affairs, Law, American Politics, Psychology, History, or Military Art & Science - adding depth and relevance to cadets' academic and military training.

What To Do With This Minor?

This minor prepares cadets and future officers for Army roles in:

  • Military Intelligence or Special Forces
  • Civil Affairs or Psychological Operations
  • Cyber Operations or Homeland Defense
  • Graduate study in Security Studies, International Affairs, or Public Policy

Interested Cadets

If you’re interested in national security, global conflict, intelligence, or strategy, the Terrorism Studies minor at West Point offers a real-world, mission-focused path that directly relates to your future as an Army officer. It will equip you to understand one of the most dangerous challenges of the modern era - and gives you the insight to help lead the fight against it. If you want to be on the front lines of security, strategy, and defense, this minor is an outstanding place to start.

Why Consider This Minor

This program explore what causes terrorism, how extremist groups recruit and operate, and what governments, militaries, and intelligence agencies do to stop them. Cadets gain a deep understanding of global security and develop the critical thinking skills needed to make real-world decisions as a future Army officers

  • Highly Relevant: Terrorism and irregular warfare are major challenges in today’s military and global security environment.
  • Army-Focused: Learn how counterterrorism and homeland defense affect military strategy and missions.
  • Interdisciplinary: Combines insights from political science, history, psychology, sociology, and international relations.
  • Sharpens Critical Skills: Think clearly under pressure, analyze threats, and understand how ideology and conflict intersect.

The Terrorism Studies minor is a good fit for cadets who:

  • Are interested in security, conflict, and strategy
  • Want to protect the nation from unconventional threats
  • See yourself working in intelligence, special operations, or homeland defense
  • Enjoy analyzing current events, global conflicts, and military decision-making

What Cadets Learn

The Terrorism Studies minor explores the causes, evolution, and impact of terrorism - along with how we fight back. Core topics include:

  • Terrorist Organizations & Tactics – Learn how different groups form, operate, and adapt
  • Counterterrorism Strategy – Study how nations disrupt and dismantle terrorist networks
  • Ideology & Radicalization – Understand what drives people to extremist beliefs and violence
  • Homeland Security & Civil Liberties – Explore how to protect a nation while preserving its values

Courses often include case studies, simulations, and current-event analysis, helping cadets apply what they learn to real-world threats.

Choice of Electives

Cadets can personalize their minor with courses like:

  • Insurgency & Counterinsurgency – Learn the differences between guerrilla warfare and terrorism
  • Middle East Politics – Understand the political dynamics of a key region in the fight against terrorism
  • Cyberterrorism – Explore how terrorists use the internet for propaganda, recruitment, and attacks
  • Intelligence & National Security – Study how intelligence agencies track and stop threats
  • Weapons of Mass Destruction & Terrorism – Analyze the risks of chemical, biological, and nuclear attacks

Learn More

Cadets in this minor receive invitations to attend events with West Point Combating Terrorism Center faculty featuring counterterrorism experts and senior-level leaders, the opportunity to attend a two-day visit to Washington, D.C., to meet with government agencies involved in counter terrorism efforts, the chance to go to New York City to visit to 9/11 Museum and various New York City law enforcement agencies, the option to observe a crisis simulation exercise at the Fire Department of New York City’s operations center, as well as the opportunity to attend relevant summer Academic Individual Advanced Development (AIAD) programs, USMA-run academic enrichment experience.

To learn more about enrichment for this area of study, visit the Department of Social Sciences or Combating Terrorism Center.